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Foraging For Berries: What's Safe, What's Not

Berries are the first food source most people picture when they think about foraging. 

However, there are some risks to berry picking that many folks never consider. Mainly, the danger of getting poisoned. Something that will leave you very sick, or even dead.

Today's article shares several crucial tips to help you safely forage for wild berries.

The first of which comes from Foraging for Survival: Edible Wild Plants of North America, an excellent book by by Douglas Boudreau and Mykel Hawke:

HUMANS CAN EAT 90 PERCENT OF THE ANIMALS ON THE PLANET. 

Since we get more energy from meat, it's usually a better survival option for work-to-food ratio. 

HUMANS CAN EAT 10 PERCENT OF THE PLANTS ON THE PLANET. 

Since a lot of vegetation isn't digestible for us, we need to be sure what we DO eat, is good. 

HUMANS CAN EAT 50 PERCENT OF THE BUGS AND 50 PERCENT OF THE BERRIES. 

For bugs the general color rule that helps is: bright isn't right, but bland is just grand.

Right away, you can see that berry picking is a coin flip. And, it can be incredibly dangerous - if you don't know what you are doing.

Luckily, the authors continue with this helpful poem for finding edible berries:

Yellow and white, in general isn't right. 

Black through blue, in general are good for you. 

Red is 50/50, could be good, could be dead. 

If the red berries are singletons or tight packs, they're usually good. If they are singles on a stem but in a cluster, they're generally not good. 

There are exceptions for every one of these. 

So study them well before you eat and as Doug says, if they're bitter or burn, spit them out.

If you're foraging for fun, you'll probably want to bring an edible plant guidebook with you. But if you're in a situation where that's not possible, here are some common edible berry types and characteristics.

Blackberries


Ripe blackberries are always black. This makes them very easy to identify and a great starting point for anyone looking to explore the woods for wild edibles.

The only downsides to harvesting blackberries are their taste.

When ripe, they are very sour. It's why most people eat them in pies or desserts. 

However, blackberries are still a good food source. Especially if don't have any other options and have to rely on nature for food.

Also, blackberries are generally protected by thorny stems. 

Be careful picking them, and try to wear long sleeves or gloves - if possible.

Raspberries


Ripe raspberries can be either black or red. 

Like blackberries, they are protected by thorns. So be careful!

Unlike blackberries, however, raspberries tend to be less sour. So, many people prefer to eat them "as is" and without sugar to offset the taste.

Raspberries typically grow at the edge of forests, or in clearings with sufficient sunlight. 

Mulberries


Mulberries can grow on trees or bushes. 

And, they will be red, black, or even white colored. 

The berries look like longer, puffed up blackberries or  raspberries.

They're also rich in vitamin C and iron, which is great for keeping you healthy while in the woods.

Conclusion

While there are many more varieties of edible berry, these three are some of the most common and most distinct. If you're new to foraging or don't have an edible plants guidebook, stick to looking for blackberries, raspberries, and mulberries.

These are distinct enough that you shouldn't confuse them with anything poisonous. And, they're common enough to be found throughout most of North America.

Also, if you are looking for an edible plant guide, be sure to check out Foraging for Survival.

This is an informative read, and entertaining too. Plus, you'll learn all about which berries and plants are safe to eat - and which are dangerous. Crucial knowledge for every aspiring forager. 

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